(SPEEDWAY 1)
DAVEY Watt scored a 15-point maximum as Lakeside overcame Swindon 50-40 on an emotional night at Purfleet.Tributes were observed before the meeting following the tragic loss of Hammers skipper Lee Richardson, and Watt proved to be the Hammers’ spearhead as they inflicted the Robins’ first Elite League defeat of the season.Lakeside led by ten points early on before the Robins clawed the gap back to four – but Watt’s wins in Heats 9, 11 and 12 helped the home side re-open their lead.Peter Karlsson (12) and Richie Worrall (9) offered good support with Hans Andersen (10) top-scoring for Swindon and reserve Peter Kildemand adding nine.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
COVENTRY overcame the injury absence of Kenni Larsen to secure a 48-42 win over Peterborough thanks to a last heat 5-1.The Panthers took a point from the meeting but were left to rue a Heat 14 fall for top-scorer Jesper B Monberg, with Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris taking full advantage with maximum points in the last race for the Bees.Coventry owner Mick Horton said: “This was a meeting that looked very tough beforehand, and we had a chat to all the boys beforehand to make sure we were all ready for it.“I’ve got to say I’m proud of each and every one of them tonight. The effort was first-class throughout and they were an absolute credit to the club. We’re pleased with the two points in the circumstances.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
PLYMOUTH have established a 14-point lead over Glasgow from the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie.Skipper Ben Barker dropped his only point to Josh Grajczonek with Ryan Fisher adding paid-13 and recent signing Todd Kurtz impressing with paid-nine.Plymouth promoter Mike Bowden said: “It was a good all round performance with all our team contributing to the win on the night.“If we go up to Glasgow and perform as we did at Ipswich on Thursday evening, when we only lost by one point in the League Cup, there is no reason why we should not progress into the next round.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
WORKINGTON took a narrow 46-44 Knockout Cup win at Scunthorpe – although the Scorpions have vowed to fight hard in Saturday’s second leg.The home side were hit by a series of costly engine failures, and the Comets took advantage although they have a further concern over Kenny Ingalls who may have aggravated a left shoulder injury.Workngton manager Tony Jackson said: “All the team rode sensibly in what were far from ideal conditions due to the constant light rain that fell throughout the match and naturally we were delighted to head home with a two-point advantage safely in our pockets.”Scunthorpe boss Richard Hollingsworth said: “The Comets are a top quality side, and needed no invitation to take full advantage of our misfortune. But it’s not over yet, and we are going into the second leg at Derwent Park with the attitude that we can still progress to the next round.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
SHEFFIELD co-boss David Hoggart pronounced himself satisfied with a Premier League point after his side were beaten 48-42 at Redcar.Hoggart praised the spirit in the Tigers camp as they remained in contention having gone into the meeting without the injured Hugh Skidmore and Klaus Jakobsen.Hoggart said: “It was a great result for us and the atmosphere in the pits was absolutely fantastic once again. Every single one of them rode their hearts out and they have a never-say-die attitude. We stayed in the hunt right through the meeting and we got rewarded for it in the end.“We have a real team of triers and I said to (co-manager) Nigel Hinchliffe after 12 heats that whatever the end result, we could not criticise the boys one bit.”
(FIXTURES)
SATURDAY MAY 19:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Swindon 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich OFFPREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Workington v Scunthorpe 7pmLEAGUE CUP: Rye House v Leicester 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 20:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 4pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30LEAGUE CUP: Leicester v Plymouth 6pmNATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Isle of Wight 3pm
MONDAY MAY 21:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Eastbourne 7.30, Peterborough v Birmingham 7.30ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Wolverhampton v Poole 7.30
TUESDAY MAY 22:PREMIER LEAGUE: Somerset v Ipswich 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v King’s Lynn 7.30, Isle of Wight v Stoke 7.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Peterborough 7.30, King’s Lynn v Wolverhampton 7.30
